'Both Pacquiao, Rios are gonna get hit'

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing trainer Jeff Mayweather predicts Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios will both receive tremendous punishment when they square off on November 24.

Mayweather, the uncle of undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., said Pacquiao and Rios are expected to absorb heavy damage in the ring since neither fighter knows how to put up a great defense.

“That's gonna be a fight where neither guy has great defense. Pacquiao has tremendous hand speed, he has a great advantage in that department, but they are both gonna be getting hit,” said Mayweather in an interview with On the Ropes Boxing.

Mayweather said Pacquiao could be at a disadvantage since he is coming off a devastating knockout loss. Moreover, he noted that Rios is a difficult opponent.

“Rios is a very, very tough fight for him, Rios is tough fight for anyone,” said Mayweather, adding that the Filipino fighter has yet to show the effects of his knockout defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez, if any.

If Pacquiao slips in this fight, then it will be over for the fighting congressman, according to Mayweather.

“No one really knows if Pacquiao's gonna be able to come back… if not, then, of course, his career is over with, and he might as well go into politics,” he said.